Rights? You Don't Need No Stinkin' Rights!

This morning as I sit here writing this I wonder what direction the USA is going to take in the next few months. Do we go down the path of the neo-conservative which seems to have taken control of the Republican Party? Will the radical liberal mentality that seems to pervade the Democrats be the way of the future? What ever happened to “moderates” and what did that really mean? And will any of the above make Americans safer at home and abroad?

Below are my comments on Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. A lot has been written about the film and both sides have weighed the validity of Moore 's statements ad nauseam so I won't really comment on the film itself. Much of what Moore tried to express in the film has been discredited, but honestly I don't think he meant it as a cerebral piece. I think he simply and, for its purpose, effective anti-Bush propaganda film. I do feel that 75% of the people who see the film will either believe all of it or believe none of it. 25% will actually take what was said and do their own research. I have tried to do some, but time constraints make it difficult so I am forced to rely on sources I find credible to help. What bothers me more is the 75% of the people who will readily believe completely or disbelieve completely.

Regardless of what side of the fence anyone sits on, and granted, there are many who simply refuse to see it, the film has become quite a flash point. Maybe not the film itself, but rather the polarizing effect it is having.
There is a story circulating today about Linda Ronstadt and her performances at the Aladdin Casino and Resort. Apparently Ronstadt who has always been a Democratic supporter was praising F9/11 and even dedicating a song to Moore . For her efforts Ronstadt was booed off stage, had cocktails tossed at her and had her engagement cancelled by Aladdin management. So what you say. Here is what. First of all I am neither a big fan, nor a protagonist of Ronstadt. I feel her inclusion of the F9/11 material is probably not what I would want to see if I was to take in one of her shows. That being said, how can any American condone the actions of the Aladdin? After all, Ronstadt is demonstrating one of our greatest assets as a country, the freedom of speech.

The Aladdin claimed they had hired her to entertain, not to espouse her political views. This excuse is so completely lame that I probably would not step foot in the Aladdin again. Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with Ronstadts message, but by God I would defend until death her right to say it. Of course the neo-conservatives will praise the Aladdin and say they are doing the right thing. Of course they are wrong. For one thing, the line between entertainment and politics has become so blurred that it is barely distinguishable at all. A company like the Aladdin should know that. They should also know something about who they are hiring. I haven't seen the contract between the two, but if the Aladdin didn't want that kind of message delivered during her shows then that should have been spelled out on the napkin.

Here we are, less than four months from what will probably be one of the closest elections in our nation's history and both sides are polarizing even more. I find myself basically without a political party that represents ME. The Republicans under W have become the party of Hitler. God forbid you speak out against the President you un-American asshole. God help you if you think the war in Iraq was a complete waste of military resources and of human lives. The conservatives will tell you you don't know shit if you don't believe every word W says.

And on the other side, we have the liberals. All the peace, love and pay the bill crap in the world won't cure what is wrong. But what really galls me is the absolute lack of any decorum these boneheads have. It seems like these goofball celebrities can go see a film like F9/11 and since it came from their milieu then it must be true. Nevermind the fact that Michael Moore has plenty of contempt for Hollywood . Sure Whoopi Goldberg is practicing her right of freedom of speech, but if her contract is up, and the other party doesn't like her message then it is their right to fire her. I really have to question these foreigners who want to weigh in on the issue. Who the fuck cares what you think Bono?

This country is headed in a dangerous direction and the threat is not limited to one side. I will vote for W in the fall, but only because I do not believe the alternative offers any improvement. Maybe Whoopi Goldberg or Linda Ronstadt can afford socialism, but I can't and I don't intend to let it happen. But the thought of W running the country for four more isn't much better. As a person I think he is doing what he feels is the right thing to do, as a President I think he is a buffoon.